Memorial marker with removable indicia



Dec. 2, 1969 R. N. sHElDow 3,481,089

MEMORIAL MARKER WITH REMOVABLE INDICIA Filed May 18, 1967 I2l Sheets-Sheet 1 so) :5fla 3,0

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Dec. 2, 1969 R. N. sHl-:lnow 3,481,089

MEMORIAL MARKER WITH REMOVABLE- INDICIA Filed May 18, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24d @26C- egd QZOC VEN TOR RUSS N. SHEIDOW BY United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 52-103 5 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Memorial marker of the companion type comprising a base plate having indicia cast thereon and a removable blank plate which is press-ittable onto the base plate to appear integral therewith and yet be removable for replacement by a permanently securable indicia-bearing plate. Cooperating camming surfaces are provided on the blank and the base plate for facilitating removal of the blank upon coplanar movement of the blank relative to the base plate. Cooperating intertting securement means are provided on the permanent indicia-bearing replacement plate and the base plate for permanently securing the replacement plate to the base plate in such a manner as to appear integral therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to memorial markers and more particularly to companion type memorial markers commonly employed for a husband and wife and purchased by the survivor upon the death of his or her spouse. For such memorial markers some provision must be made for inserting the date of death of the survivor in such memorial marker.

Description of the prior art In the commonly known companion type memorial markers a single plate is cast of a suitable metal, such as bronze or the like, with the names of both the husband and wife, their dates of -birth and the date of death of the irst to die. A space is provided for the date of death of the survivor, and a blank plate is atlixed to this space generally by screws 0r the like. When the survivor later passes away, the blank plate is then replaced with an indicia bearing plate bearing the date of death of the second to die, this plate also being aixed by screws or the like.

On difficulty with such prior art memorial marker is that the screws aflixing the blank plate or the indicia bearing plate sometimes become loosened, either by natural causes or due to vandalism, and the plate is lost, thereby impairing the aesthetic value of the memorial marker and causing inconvenience and expense in its maintenance. Another difliculty vis the possibility of the blank plate becoming permanently xed to the memorial marker due to the screws or bolts being excessively tightened or damaged in some other way so that they become so difcult to remove that damage is done to the base plate. Further, screws are relatively unsightly and detract from the aesthetic appearance of the marker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a memorial marker which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art markers by eliminating the screw-type means for atlixing the blank plate and the permanent replacement indicia bearing plate to the base plate.

In accordance with the present invention, the means for detachably connecting the blank plate to the base plate comprises complementary closely intertting portions on CII 3,481,089 Patented Dec. 2, 1969 the blank plate and-.the base plate for resisting movement of the blank plate in a direction normal to the plane thereof and for permitting relative coplanar movement between the blank plate and the base plate, and cooperating camming means on the base plate and the blank plate for translating relative coplanar movement into relatrvely normal movement whereby when it is desired to remove the blank plate a coplanar movement is imparted thereto, as by, a hammer and chisel and the camming means serve to lift the blank plate off the base plate for cclmvenient removal of the blank plate from the base p ate.

The permanent replacement plate is adapted to be so atlixed to the base plate that not only normal movement but also coplanar movement relative to the base plate is prevented, so that it becomes difficult or impossible to remove the permanent plate from the base plate once it has been atixed thereto.

In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention, the base plate and the blank and replacement plates are so designed that the blank and replacement plates appear to be integrally cast with the base plate, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the marker While at the same time discouraging potential Vandals from attempting to remove the former plates from the base plate.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG.

2 showing the permanent replacement plate in place;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of one alterna` tive embodiment of the blank plate for use With the memorial marker of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the receptacle portion of a memorial marker embodying another form of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 7 with longitudinal sectional views of a blank plate and a permanent replacement plate for use in conjunction with said receptacle;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a receptacle portion of a memorial marker embodying still another form of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 9 with longitudinal sectional views of a blank plate and a permanent replacement plate for use therewith;

FIG. ll is a top plan View of the receptacle portion of a .memorial marker embodying yet another form of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 11 with longitudinal sectional views of a blank plate and a permanent replacement plate for use therewith;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG, l2 showing the permanent replacement plate of FIG. 12 aixed within the receptacle; and

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional View of-yet another ernbodiment of a permanent replacement plate for use with the receptacle of FIG. 1l.

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring noW to the drawings in detail and especially FIGS. 1-5 thereof, a companion memorial marker is illustrated comprising a base plate 10, a removable blank plate 12 and a permanent indicia-bearing replacement plate 14. Each of the plates is cast from a suitable metal generally used for memorial markers, such as bronze, and is substantially planar. The plates map, of course, and are intended to, have slight depressions and raised portions thereon including the intended indicia and decorative embossings.

As illustrated, base -plate has integrally cast thereon the family name in prominent letters, a first, raised, indicia-bearing portion 16 bearing the known indicia for the surviving spouse (i.e., the name and date of birth), a second raised, indicia-bearing portion 18 bearing the data for the deceased spouse (i.e., the name and dates of birth and death) and (optional decorative embossing along the edge of base plate 10. The indicia for each spouse are integrally cast on individual, complementary indiciabearing sections 30. The edges of the portions 16 and 18 and of the sections 30 are bevelled.

Of course, the particular arrangement is a matter of choice and is in no Way limited to that illustrated in FIG. l. Thus, for example, indicia-bearing portions 16 and 18 could, if desired, be replaced by a single indiciabearing portion comprising substantially the entire surface of base plate 10.

Indicia-bearing portion 16 includes a receptacle 20 for receiving first the blank plate 12 and, after the demise of the survivor, the permanent indicia-bearing replacement plate 14. As illustrated, receptacle 20 comprises a depression within section 16 having bevelled sides 22 and substantially rectangular slots 24 at the bottom thereof.

Blank plate 12 has studs 26 and 28 depending from the bottom thereof. Stud 26 is of substantially identical width, but approximately one half the length of slots 24. Stud 28 is of substantially the same width as stud 26 and greater length, but still shorter at the bottom than the length of slot 24. The right hand edge of stud 28 is bevelled so that the length of stud 28 at the underside of plate 12 is approximately the same as that of slot 24.

Preferably, as shown, the edges of both the upper and lower surfaces of the plate 12 are bevelled, the angle and extent of the .bevel on the upper surface thereof being substantially identical to that of the bevel of integrally cast sections 30 and the angle and extent of the bevel on the lower surface thereof being substantially identical to that of the bevel of sides 22 of receptacle 20. When in place in receptacle 20, the line of maximum peripheral dimension (from which bevels extend upward and downward) is congruent with the upper edge surface of the receptacle. This presents an appearance when the plate is in place of having been cast integrally with the base plate. In the illustration of FIGS. 1-5 the upper and lower surfaces of the plate 12 are bevelled at approximately an equal angle, although this is not necessary.

Permanent replacement plate 14 is substantially identical to blank plate 12 except for the configuration of its studs. Thus, the studs 32 of permanent plate 14 are of substantially identical length as well as width as the length and width of slots 24. In addition, of course, the permanent plate will bear the date of death of the second of the couple to die.

To obtain a good press fit, the studs of both plates 12 and 14 should be approximately twenty-thousandths of an inch wider than the slots 24. Also, the depth of each of these plates is preferably approximately yone sixteenth of an inch less than the depth of receptacle 20. Thus, when either of the plates 12 and 14 is disposed in the receptacle 20, if it is not properly registered with the receptacle 20, the bevelled surfaces will permit a camming action to properly center the plate 12 or 14 with respect to the receptacle 20. This assures automatic centering.

In operation, after the base plate has been cast and is ready for use, blank plate 12 is inserted in receptacle 20 as shown in FIG. 3. Due to the substantial identity of width of studs 26 and 28 with the width of slots 24, a press lit is achieved whereby it is diflicult to extract the blank plate from the base plate by attempted vertical or normal displacement thereof relative to the plane of plates 10 and 12. In fact, as explained above, due to the double bevel arrangement of the plate 12, it would be virtually impossible to insert a screwdriver or the like under the plate to even attempt to pry it up. Further, due to the complementary bevelled surfaces, the blank plate appears to be integral with base plate 10 and would not invite vandals to remove it.

After the death of the second of the couple, when it is desired to insert the permanent plate 14, removal of blank plate 12 is readily effected in the manner schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, a coplanar movement is imparted to plate 12 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 (i.e., to the right) with suitable implements such as a hammer and a chisel, This coplanar movement is possible because of the substantially shorter length of the studs 26 and 28 as compared to the length of the slots 24. This rightward planar movement effects a camming action due to the interaction of the bevelled right hand edge of stud 2S against the end of its associated slot 24 to thereby lift the right side of plate 12 out of the receptacle 20. Thereupon plate 12 can be readily removed by hand or by a pliers or the like.

Replacement indicia-bearing plate 14 is then press fit into receptacle 20. As mentioned above, the studs of plate 14 are of substantially the same length and width as slots 24 so that once plate 14 is properly positioned within receptacle 20 it is virtually impossible to remove it, inasmuch as there is no room for lateral movement of the studs within the slots in any direction. Again, as was true with blank plate 12, indicia plate 14 has upper and lower bevelled surfaces at its peripheral edge, the lower of which seats within the complementary bevelled surface 22 of receptacle 20 to conceal the fact that indicia plate 14 is not integrally cast with base plate 10X.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a blank plate 12a suitable for use with the memorial marker of FIGS. 15. Blank 12a differs from blank 12 essentially only in the means for effecting the cooperative camming action with receptacle 20. Thus, studs 26a and 28a of blank 12a are essentially identical to stud 26 of blank 12. That is, there is no bevelled edge on stud 28a. In blank 12a the camming action is achieved by interaction between the lower bevelled edge of the plate 12a and the bevelled side of the receptacle 20=. In this embodiment, the right hand lower bevelled surface of the blank 12a has a more shallow bevel than the associated bevel of the side of the receptacle 20 to thereby accentuate the camming action.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the receptacle 20a has three substantially rectangular slots 24a and wherein the blank plate 12b is secured to the receptacle 20 by insertion of a single stud 2811 into a slot thereof, in the illustrated embodiment in the central slot. In this embodiment the camming action for removal of the blank plate 12a is effected essentially as illustrated in FIG. 4, stud 2811 being substantially identical in dimensions to stud 28 of plate 12. The permanent plate 14 has two studs 32 substantially identical to studs 32 of the permanent plate 14 illustrated in FIGS. l and 5 which are inserted into receptacle 20 in the same manner as discussed above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. l-S.

Yet another alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this embodiment the apertures of receptacle 2Gb are criss-crossed rectangular apertures 24h. The blank 12 ('FIG. l0) may be substantially identical to the blank 12 of FIGS. l, 3 and 4, and the studs thereof are inserted in the horizontal slots of the cross in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 3. The permanent plate 14a has studs 32a running perpendicular to the studs of blank plate 12 and being of substantially the same length and width as the portions of the crisscrossed slots 24b which are perpendicular to the portions of the slots wherein studs 26 and 28 of plate 12 are received. Accordingly, when the permanent plate is inserted no opportunity is aiforded for any lateral movement thereof. If desired, the studs of permanent plate 14a can be criss-crossed in substantially the same dimensions as the entire criss-crossed apertures 24b.

While the above described means for permanently securing the indicia-bearing replacement plate 14 to the base plate are generally adequate, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the invention i1- lustrated in FIGS. 11-14 means are provided for more positively securing the replacement plate 14 to the base plate 10. Referring particularly to FIGS. 12 and 13, the receptacle c of this embodiment is provided with a central slot 24e` and two end slots 24d. Central slot 24e is a rectangular slot similar to the slots 24 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. Each of end slots 24d has a struck-up portion 34 on one side thereof and an opposing wall 36. The opposing corners of struck-up portion 34 and wall 36 define a passage 38 therebetween.

As shown in FIG. l2, the blank plate 12e of this embodiment has a single rectangular stud 12e which is of substantially identical width but approximately one half the length of its associated slot 24C. The edges of both the upper and lower surfaces of plate 12c are bevelled, the angle and extent of the bevel on the upper and lower surfaces thereof being substantially identical to that of the integrally cast sections 30, except that the angle of the bevel of the lower right hand surface is more shallow than that of the associated side of the receptacle 20c. Thus, the camming action between blank 12c and receptacle 20c is achieved in the same manner as `for the embodiment of FI-G. 6, namely by interaction between the lower bevelled edge of plate 12C and the associated bevelled side of receptacle 20c. In addition, the desired appearance of plate 12C being integral with base plate 10 is achieved.

Indicia-bearing permanent replacement plate 14h includes a pair of studs 32b depending fro-m the bottom thereof for insertion in slots 24d of receptacle 20c. Studs 32b are relatively deformable as compared with struck-up portions 34 of slots 24C. In addition, passages 38 are of substantially the same width as studs 32b. Accordingly, when plate 14b is inserted into receptacle 20c, studs 32b are inserted into slots 24b and driven against struck-up portions 34. The relatively deformable studs 32b are thereby deformed outwardly by struck-up portions 34 and wedged into passages 38, studs 32b being grasped by struck-up portions 34 and corresponding opposing Walls 36 to positively prevent removal of plate 14b from receptacle 20c (FIG. 13).

To facilitate proper insertion of studs 32b into slots 24b and to assure proper interaction between studs 32b and struck-up portions 34 to deform and direct studs 32b into passages 38, the inner sides of studs 32b are bevelled at the lower ends 33 thereof for cooperating with associated struck-up portions 34 of slots 24d. To provide the `desired appearance of integral casting of plate 14b with base plate 10, the edges of both the upper and lower surfaces of plate 14b are bevelled, the angle and extent of the bevel being substantially identical to that of the integrally cast sections 30.

FIG. 14 illustrates one alternative form of the presently preferred embodiment wherein a permanent replacement plate 14e is provided for use with receptacle 20c. Plate 14c is substantially identical to the permanent replacement plate 14h of FIGS. l2 and 13, except that, in addition to the features of replacement plate 14b, replacement plate 14c is also provided with a central stud 32C for cooperating `with central slot 24C of receptacle 20c. Both the length and width of stud 32e are Substantially identical to the length and width of slot 24C whereby, upon insertion of studs 32b into slots 24b proper indexing is achieved to thereby assure proper seating of plate 14c upon complete insertion thereof into receptacle 20c. In addition, stud 32C and slot 24C may have dimensions such that a press or interference fit is achieved by the interaction of stud 32C and slot 24e` to further enhance the permanence ofthe installation.

It will, of course, be understood that many modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. ll-l4, the single central slot 24C and its associated studs may be replaced by pairs of such slots and studs, which may be positioned in any desired relationship to the slots 24d. More than two of either kind of slot (and associated stud) could, if desired, be employed. In addition, the camming action for the replacement plate 12C can be achieved in any of the ways herein illustrated or in other equivalent ways.

While several forms of the present invention have been shown and described herein, and various modifications therein have been suggested, other changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An indicia bearing device comprising:

a substantially planar base plate having two indicia portions thereon;

indicia formed integrally with said base plate at one of said positions,

a blank plate at the other of said positions,

means for detachably connecting said blank plate to said base plate in overlying relation therewith, said means comprising complementary closely interfitting portions on said blank plate and said base plate for resisting movement of said blank plate in a direction normal to the plane of said blank plate and for permitting relative coplanar movement, and

cooperating camming means on said base plate and said blank plate for translating said relative coplanar movement into relative normal movement, whereby said blank plate can be detached from said base plate by imparting relative coplanar movement thereto to enable the substitution of an indicia bearing plate at said other position.

2. The device-of claim 1, wherein said intertting portions on said blank plate and said base plate comprise a substantially rectangular stud and a substantially rectangular slot, said stud having a width substantially identical to that of said slot and a length substantially less than that of said slot.

3. A companion memorial marker for husband and wife comprising:

a substantially planar base plate having an indicia locatior for said husband and an indicia location for said w1 e;

each of said indicia locations having an indicia position for birth year and an indicia position for year of death;

birth year indicia for both husband and wife and death year indicia for the rst deceased of them integrally cast on said base plate at their respective indicia positions;

a blank plate disposed at the death year indicia position of the surviving spouse,

complementary closely intertting portions on said blank plate and said receptacle for detachably connecting said blank plate to said base plate, said interitting portions comprising a substantially rectangular stud and a substantially rectangular slot, said stud having a width substantially identical to that of said slot and a length substantially less than that of said slot, and

cooperating camming means on said plate and said blank plate for translating relatively coplanar movement of said blank plate relative to said base plate into relatively normal movement; whereby said blank plate can be detached from said base plate by imparting relative coplanar movement thereto t0 enable the substitution of an indicia bearing plate at said death year indicia position of said surviving spouse after the death thereof.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the three integrally cast year indicia are cast on raised portions of said base plate with each of said portions bounded by a bevelled edge, whereby an indicia bearing plate having the same dimension as said raised portions and a bevelled edge may be substituted for said blank plate and will appear to be formed integrally with said base plate 5. A companion memorial marker for husband and wife comprising:

a substantially planar base plate having an indicia location for said husband and an indicia location for said wife;

each of said indicia locations having an indicia position for birth year and an indicia position for year of death;

birth year indicia for both husband and wife and death year indicia for the first deceased of them integrally cast on said base plate at their respective indicia positions;

the three integrally cast indicia being cast on raised portions of said base plate with each of said raised portions having a bevelled peripheral edge;

an indicia bearing plate at the death year indicia position of the surviving spouse,

said indicia bearing plate having the same dimensions as said raised portion and a substantially identical bevelled peripheral edge,

said base plate having a slot therein and said indicia bearing plate having a stud disposed into said slot and of such dimensions as to preclude coplanar movement therebetween, said stud being deformable and said slot having a downstruck portion for deforming said stud upon disposition into said slot, said stud being deformed to prevent normal relative movement between said indicia bearing plate and said base plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 215,457 5/1879 Jackson 52-103 291,106 1/1884 Strong 52-38 1,964,403 6/1934 Loucks 52377 2,586,178 2/1952 Rochester 40*124.5 963,572 7/1910 IFFT 52-104 965,000 7/1910 Newman 52-103 2,095,290 10/1937 Roy 52--103 HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

gg@ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,481,089 Dated December 2, 1969 Inventor(s) Russell N. SheidOW It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

- Column 1, line 50: "On" should read one Column 3,

line 9: "map" should read may line 19: "(optional" should read (optional) Column 6, line 74: "said plate" should read said base plate SIGNED ND SEALED Junzslgm (SEAL) Attest:

mma M Reiche" I" WILLIAM E. m nesting Officer Gomissioneor Patms. 

